Happiness is created by each of us. It's there if you look no matter the circumstance...

So it's been over 2 months since my last post...my 5th grandchild, Brylee Mae, was born and is now 6 weeks old! Our oldest is now 8yo. Not sure how that happened! We're so blessed by our family...that hasn't changed and becomes even more obvious as we grow!! This time of year...Thanksgiving and Christmas...can bring out the best or worst in all of us! With all the blended families involved and wanting time with loved ones during the holidays...it makes it difficult to navigate for the adult children. If I'm being honest...I have very strong thoughts about this but for the sake of not really sharing everything that comes to mind :-)...I'll allow my children to decide and be happy with whatever time is given us!! I wish everyone a blessed holiday season and unless something drastic happens with my schedule...I'll be back next year!! Blessings to you and yours!

Life Happens....

I was wondering what my life would have looked like if it had gone my way...I try to imagine how it might have been different but honestly I simply can't! I had mapped out timelines of getting married, having children, a career, and everything else in between. We make plans...God laughs! The fact is...I have had all of those things and more! I got married...twice! I have children! My first husband and I had a beautiful daughter...and then divorced. When I met Rusty...he had a sweet little boy and it was love at first sight! I was telling Chad, the other day about our first meeting...he had just turned 6yo and an absolute cutie pie! He and his dad was on their way fishing and I had left my purse in Rusty's car the night before...they were bringing it by to me. Chad leaned over to see me from the passenger side and after being introduced said so sweetly..."Wow! You're more beautiful than Wonder Woman!" (Now for those that do not remember, Wonder Woman, was the absolute coolest woman on earth...she had an invisible airplane and a lasso that forced people to tell the truth! Her braclets could fend off bullets and her outfit ROCKED!!!) I fell in love with that sweet little face that very moment! After telling the story...Chad said, "Well, no wonder you liked me so much! That was a really big thing back then." He didn't even remember saying it...but I remembered. :-)

I have had so many opportunities in my life regarding work...I went to nursing school right after Rusty and I got married. I practiced nursing for a couple of years then moved into administration. I worked as the "Managing Director" at Pine Valley Retirement community for a few years...then I decided to work from home and opened up an "in-home daycare." I actually made a really good living playing with kids all day! I used to say that I was the "female" version of Peter Pan. Sometimes, I still think that way...  After closing the daycare, I opened up a restaurant, Country Hic' Cafe and BBQ! We had an absolute blast with this adventure...then we didn't! So I moved on...next chapter!

In May/June 2000, we sold our restaurant, sent our exchange student home to Brazil after having him for a year, sent our daughter to college, and our son moved out into his own home! What a time! Geeze...the house was too quite! I was completely lost! So I went back to school...got a Masters degree and went to work with the VA! I love...love...love my job! When God takes control of your life...you had better watch out! It can blow your mind! I have no regrets for the encounters, experiences, and life lessons placed in my life! I just want to continue hanging on for the ride...

Today...I live for my kids and grandchildren! I spend as much time as I can loving them to pieces! The oldest girls, Haylie and Hannah, keep us busy playing ball (Spring and Fall), cheerleading, and every other thing they can get into...Jesse and Mary Kaitlyn (3 weeks apart) are just right for cuddling and teaching them fun new things to do and say! Jesse's latest is "Roll Tide Roll" with hand movements. Mary Kaitlyn likes to dance to anything...just start singing and she's moving her feet to the beat!!! We are expecting grand #5 anyday now! I can't wait!!! Mary Kaitlyn has no clue that her life is about to change forever!! I love it when life happens....

Catching Up...

When Amanda (my sweet daughter-in-law) set this blog up for me in 2009 I had every intention of keeping up with it and posting about my life for all to see! Then I asked myself a very important question...Would anyone really be interested in the "goings" on in my life? I didn't think so...thus, no blogs! Am I that important? Well...whether I am or not I feel that I could, at the very least, use this medium to write about my thougths and feelings. So here goes...

First a little bit about me...Rusty and I have been married for "a very long time!" Together we have 2 wonderful children, (Chad and Kym), 2 perfect mates for our children (Amanda and Bart), and are expecting our 5th grandchild. Our life is FULL and we are BLESSED beyond measure...I am amazed as to what I might have done to deserve such a wonderful family and great friends!! Rusty's been retired for over 12 years now and fills his days with dogs! He trains "Chance," a cheasapeake bay retriever, every opportunity he can, including spending the summer in South Dakota, for field trials. I work at the TVAMC and love the opportunity to serve "America's Heroes!" The grandkids keep us busy with softball, cheerleading, and just being in their little lives (whatever that includes) every chance we get!

Important information to share...I try to follow the principles of God's Word and live a life pleasing to Him! I, often times, fall short of the mark and am grateful for His forgiveness! I believe that my life is a reflection of my beliefs and that I have the opportunity to influence my children and grandchildren, as well as, others I come into contact with everyday! I remind myself daily that...I have plenty (whatever, I have right now, is more than enough). I am kind, considerate and compassionate (less I forget and use my tongue for ugliness). ...and I am loved by all (this last statement reminds me to show love so that I can be loved)! I don't ever want to fall into the thinking trap of I don't have enough, everyone wants to take something from me, and nobody cares for me! I hear those words from some of my patients and it breaks my heart! Everyone deserves the "best life has to offer," but sometimes we don't recognize that we already have the best....whatever that is!

Our family is not really unique in that we have struggles, we have experienced pain, and we've made it through some pretty intense situations, that otherwise, may have broken us apart. By the grace of God we grew stronger and closer to each other! What I do know is that "life" can be hard and difficult...and at the same time, it can also be beautiful experience! I believe its how you look at it!! Still more "LIFE" to come...I'm sure!

I'm done catching up for now! I have lots more to share but it'll just have to wait. I'm looking forward to continuing with this blog...we'll see! This may be the first and only time I post anything! Who knows...